Gallbladder Surgery

Every year, approximately 750,000 people in the U.S. undergo gallbladder removal surgery. This procedure is technically called “cholecystectomy,” but it is usually referred to simply as “gallbladder surgery.” Your doctor may have brought up gallbladder surgery with you if you suffer from gallstones: small, hardened deposits, which can cause severe pain in the back or upper-right abdomen. While some gallstones are harmless, other cases may cause cramping, indigestion, nausea, vomiting or other symptoms.

Though any surgery is serious, you may be relieved to know that gallbladder removal is one of the most common surgical procedures done. This procedure has a very low rate of complication and is typically associated with an excellent outcome.

Robotic Gallbladder Surgery: How It Works

Surgeons at Bayfront Health Medical Group are specially trained in performing robotic gallbladder surgery. This laparoscopic procedure is minimally invasive, and is typically associated with reduced post-operative pain levels, faster recoveries, and – of course – smaller incisions: no need for the large five- to seven-inch incision used in open gallbladder surgeries of the past. Additionally, patients typically go home the same-day of their robotic gallbladder surgery.

Robotic surgery is used by Bayfront general surgeons for many procedures, including hernia repair, cancer surgery and more. Robotic-assisted surgery offers a number of surgeon benefits, such as 360º surgical instrument rotation, high-definition video of the operative area, and better stability and control. However, don’t let the name lead you to believe a robot is performing the surgery. The surgeon remains in complete control throughout the entire procedure, simply using robotic-assistance to perform tasks that would not be possible with the human hand or standard laparoscopic technology alone.

Life After Gallbladder Surgery

Of course, many people ask, “How long does gallbladder surgery last?” The procedure itself typically takes two hours or less, while recovery typically takes between one and three weeks. Surprisingly, many people are able to return to their normal activities just seven to ten days following gallbladder surgery. However, remember that each patient and surgical experience is unique. Listen to your body and follow your doctor’s advice.

What Can I Eat After Gallbladder Removal Surgery?

Many people want to know how gallbladder surgery will affect their diet. In order to make healthy and comfortable dietary choices, it helps to know a little bit about how your digestive system works without a gallbladder. As your doctor likely explained, the gallbladder stores bile created by the liver. This bile helps digest fatty foods. If you don’t have a gallbladder, your liver still creates this bile – it just doesn’t have a way to store it. This makes it more difficult for your system to digest fatty foods. General recommendations for eating after gallbladder removal surgery include:

Staying on a diet of clear liquids, broths and gelatins in the first few days following surgery.

Slowly adding solid foods and increasing portion size.

Slowly adding high-fiber foods.

Avoiding high fat foods and eating a primarily low-fat diet. (High fat foods can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea in patients who have undergone gallbladder surgery.)

Lastly, pay attention to how certain foods and portion sizes make you feel. Keep a record, and discuss your findings with your doctor. Above all, follow your surgeon or primary care provider’s recommendations. The diet advice on this page is general in nature, and should not be applied without first consulting with a health care provider.